Flyer on Weigh Management ??

While I was waiting for my dad to pick me up at the bus terminal, a young beautiful lady handed me a flyer that promote healthy nutrition. And, asked me to call her for nutritional consultation (for privacy reason, I erased the contact number and person). See below:

(Front Page)

(Back Page)

Here are my opinion regarding the Front Page:

I agree with almost everything on the front page... from Change a Breakfast to Good Health Starts from Good Nutrition. 

However, regarding the free the body fat analysis & herbal tea serving parts, there's a catch!!

First, the free body fat analysis:

There are a lot of methods used for body fat analysis, ranging from skinfold measurements, underwater weighing, bioelectrical impedence, bod pod (air displacement), DEXA - Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry to Near Infrared Interactance (NIR) Futrex 5000. All these techniques cost $$$$ (http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwfit/bodycomp.html).

The only free method that I can find is the one that uses BMI to measure body fat %:

The formula to predict your body fat percentage, based on your current BMI, age, and gender:

Child Body Fat % = (1.51 x BMI) - (0.70 x Age) - (3.6 x gender) + 1.4

Adult Body Fat % = (1.20 x BMI) + (0.23 x Age) - (10.8 x gender) - 5.4

where male gender= 1, female=0.

(http://www.halls.md/bmi/fat.htm)

And, here is what the result from the formula above will tell u:

(http://www.acefitness.org/blog/112/what-are-the-guidelines-for-percentage-of-body-fat/)

As for the Free Herbal Tea Serving part, it might be a way to promote and sell the clients the products from the company. We all know that drinking herbal tea is beneficial for our health, but bear in mind that healthy nutrition does not require a lot of spending, but balance diet and healthy lifestyle.

Here are my comments regarding the Back Page:

Let's take a look at statements written on the paper (left-right, top-down)...

• 2 months lose 12kg
• lost 7kg in 2 months; Energetic, no more afternoon nap
• 3 months gain 4kg, Improve skin
• 1 month lose 5kg; Improve Asma problem & Flu sensitive Nose; More energetic; XL-->M size
• Total Nutrition During Pregnancy; Reshape after Pregnancy
• Improve Sensitive Skin Problem; More energetic & Gain Muscle

The first question to ask is: Are those claims too good to be true, especially those weight lose claims?

An image can bring us a really strong message, as the saying goes: One picture explains a thousand words. What if the picture is edited to catch your attention and push products to you in pursuit of profit? 

A few more questions: Do you ever see anyone around you spending huge amount of money on so-called healthy products in order to stay slim? If you did, what is the out-come? Is there any side-effect? Is there any change of his/her behavior that disgusts you?

As for me, I heard a lot of people claiming that the friends of their friends get into shape after consuming a certain "health" product. Seeing it is to believe it, but so far, I NEVER see one in my life, unless that person is under critical health condition!!

How will I approach this situation:

• Try to make sure that the "health" product is endorsed by our Ministry of Health! It should bear the logo of our Ministry of Health. Or else, don't buy it. Although buying and consuming it will not cause any side-effect on our health, it might burn a hole on your pocket! I would rather spend my money on something else that is more beneficial.

• Again, healthy nutrition does not require a lot of spending, but balance diet and healthy lifestyle. It also requires a lot of discipline and determination if one wishes to achieve his/her desirable body weight.

• Try to consult Registered Dietitians at local hospital or clinic for health advice. Or else, try to seek advise from the doctors/physicians. 

• Take the basic human nutrition and/or food science course to better understand our food and how it affects us!

• The www.nutriweb.org.my offers a lot of guidelines for us